Local News

Maker of hybrid, electric buses furloughs workers

The Charlotte Observer reports that DesignLine USA confirmed the temporary closure Wednesday but declined to give a reason. The plant's 250 workers are furloughed during the shut-down.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx worked as an attorney for DesignLine until the U.S. Senate confirmed President Barack Obama's nominee in June. Foxx made $88,000 a year as deputy general counsel, a job he had throughout his tenure as mayor.

The company was founded in New Zealand but moved its headquarters to Charlotte in 2006.

Setbacks in recent years include a lawsuit by the city of Baltimore alleging missed deadlines, a canceled contract with a California transportation authority and a bus that caught fire at the Charlotte airport.